Chrysanthemum plant named Pomona

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Pomona particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; red-purple to purple ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 13.5 cm at maturity when grown as a pinched disbudded pot mum; uniform nine week photoperiodic flowering response to short days; medium plant height when grown as a pinched pot mum; recommended both as disbudded and spray pot mum; and spreading and prolific branching pattern.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat.,and referred to by the cultivar name Pomona.

Pomona, identified as 81893019, was originated from a cross made byCornelis P. VandenBerg in a controlled breeding program in Salinas,Calif. in 1981.

The female parent of Pomona was the cultivar identified as Favor,disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,227. The male parent of Pomona was anunnamed seedling, identified as 78663011.

Pomona was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in December of1981, in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Pomona was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in March of1982 in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by techniciansworking under formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P.VandenBerg.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successiveplantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Pomona are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Pomona has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Salinas, Calif. and Leamington, Canada, under greenhouseconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialgreenhouse practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Pomona, which, in combination, distinguishthis Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Decorative capitulum type.

3. Red-purple to purple ray floret color.

4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 13.5 cm at maturity whengrown as a pinched disbudded pot mum.

5. Uniform nine week photoperiodic flowering response to short days.

6. Medium plant height requiring 0 to 7 long days after pinch prior toshort days and 1 application of 2500 ppm B-9 SP to attain a floweredplant height of 25 to 35 cm for year-round flowerings when grown as apinched pot mum.

7. Recommended both as disbudded and spray pot mum.

8. Spreading and prolific branching pattern.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence andleaf characteristics of Pomona, with the colors being as nearly true aspossible with illustrations of this type.

Sheet 1 is a color photograph of Pomona grown as a pinched disbudded potmum.

Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph of three views of theinflorescence of Pomona.

Sheet 3 is a black and white photograph showing the upper and undersides of the leaves of Pomona at three stages of development (mature,intermediate and immature).

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar incomparison to Pomona is the cultivar Luv, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat.No. 4,960. Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certaincharacteristics of Pomona to the same characteristics of Luv.

Similar traits are capitulum type and form. The color of ray florets ofPomona is red-purple to purple, while the color of Luv is described aslavender. Pomona has a more spreading and prolific branching pattern, alarger diameter of capitulum, a larger plant height and a slowerflowering response to short days when compared with Luv.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determined onplant material grown in Salinas, Calif. on June 15, 1987.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Pomona.

Commercial.--Decorative disbud and spray pot mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Decorative.

Diameter across face.--Up to 13.5 cm at maturity.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Red-purple.

Color (upper surface).--74C.

Color (under surface).--78C to 78D.

Shape.--Flat, oblong.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--14B.

Color (immature).--144B.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; scant pollen.

Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--Medium; 25 to 35 cm as a pinched disbudded pot mum with 0 to 7long days after pinch prior to short days and 1 application of 2500 ppmB-9 SP.

Branching pattern.--Spreading and prolific.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).--147B.

Shape.--Lobed and slightly serrated.

                  CHART A                                                         ______________________________________                                        Comparison of Pomona and Luv                                                  ______________________________________                                                Ray Floret  Capitulum    Branching                                    Cultivar                                                                              Color       Form and Type                                                                              Pattern                                      ______________________________________                                        Pomona  Red-purple  Flat         Spreading and                                        to purple   Decorative   prolific                                     Luv     Lavender    Flat         Semi-                                                            Decorative   spreading                                    ______________________________________                                                Diameter                 Flowering                                            across face              response                                     Cultivar                                                                              of capitulum                                                                              Plant height period                                       ______________________________________                                        Pomona  Up to 13.5 cm                                                                             Medium       9 weeks                                      Luv     105-115 mm  Short        8 weeks                                      ______________________________________                                        Comparisons made of plants grown as pinched disbudded pot                     mums in Salinas, California                                                   ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named Pomona, as illustrated and described, and parts thereof. 